Sculpture Tour

Explore our grounds and experience the natural beauty of our Sculpture Trail and 11 acres of gardens and lawns!

"Event" by Darrell Petit

Darrell Petit was born in Montreal, Canada and currently lives and works in Stony Creek, Connecticut. Petit’s work, Event, deals with balance and opposition between masculinity and femininity, dark and light, along with vastness and intimacy. Event reflects Petit’s maturing minimalist aesthetic through these simplistic yet monolithic stones which portray a deep appreciation of nature. The work is comprised of two 25-ton Stony Creek granite blocks leaning towards each other in a carefully balanced embrace. The stones have a deep connection to the earth, the air and the sky surrounding them with a strong upward movement and transcendental quality.

"Star and Sea" by Allyson Holtz

Allyson Holtz is a third generation Connecticut artist who currently resides and works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The monumental sculpture Star and Sea was created to reflect the rich history and character of New London. The original location of the sculpture – overlooking the Thames River and beyond it, Long Island Sound – points to the significance of water, the sea, submarines, and sailing ships. Holtz‘s design was inspired by the quadrant and sextant, nautical instruments of measurement. The triangularity of the instruments and the shapes of sails were her visual starting points. As quoted by Holtz, “I envisioned Star and Sea as a metaphorical instrument, projecting imaginary lines through time and space; connecting the City to its history, anchoring it to its present and projecting it into its future”.

"Foo Dog" by Unknown Artist

This is a traditional Chinese Foo Dog which can be traced back to the Ching Dynasty. It is seven feet high and made of bronze. This powerful work is said to have once kept evil spirits away from Chinese Palaces and symbolized energy and value. These mythical beasts, a cross between a stout dog and a lion, are commonly found a temples, tombs, or garden entrances, where they perform a gargoyle’s task of protecting buildings. Standing guard with its teeth bared, this sculpture is protecting the art and discouraging evil from entering the museum.

"Cat’s Cradle Sun Bench" by Alvin Sher

Have a seat! This work by sculptor Alvin Sher is both a bench and functioning sundial. Sher is a native to Niantic, Connecticut and creator of sculptures which explore human curiosities. Architectural forms are used as a vehicle to portray scientific issues with a combination of ancient and modern technologies. The image of the hand is his signature form, intended as a symbol of greeting or welcome, along with an extension of time and space. Sher uses the computer as an electronic sketch book to visualize his ideas and view them from a multiplicity of angles. This enables Sher to create accurate astronomical devices such as the sundial see here.

"Cloud Nine" by David Smalley

David Smalley, from neighboring Quaker Hill, Connecticut, has been producing sculptures for over 40 years. He has had over 50 exhibitions in the United States, Britain, and Japan. Smalley’s work is primarily in metal; stainless steel, brass and aluminum. In addition to sculptures, Smalley founded the Center for Arts and Technology at Connecticut College, pioneering the use of the computer as a tool for sculptors. The majority of his work is rooted in abstraction but still contains clear references to nature. Many of Smalley’s works are kinetic. Look closely at his sculpture Cloud Nine and watch it move in the wind!